Friday, January 21, 2011

The Wichita Salvation Army reported results of its annual “Mission of Hope” Christmas campaign.

Overall income for the October to January campaign contributions totaled $1.44 million compared to last year’s total of $1.5 million.

“We knew going into the campaign that it would be a difficult year. Demand for our services is up significantly so our goal to try and meet that demand,” said Douglas Rowland, Wichita City Commander for The Salvation Army. “There were several bright spots in the campaign. Revenue from the Red Kettles was up 12%, we served a record 11,300 children with toys and saw an increase in donations from new donors through other fundraising communications,” Rowland said.

Toy donations were lagging as late as one week before the Salvation Army’s distribution day with over 4,000 unclaimed Angel Tree angels, the gift program for children 14 and under. “The people of Wichita stepped up and we were able to provide gifts to every one of these children. What a blessing to live in such a caring and generous community,” Rowland continued.

The organization also reported an increase in volunteers willing to help with the assistance program. “In an economy such as this, people that cannot give monetarily often give of their time. We were so blessed to have so much help prior to as well as the day of distribution. Their spirit of service was incredible.”

A total of 4,400 families were served where 90% of those families have annual incomes of less than $24,000.

More than 11,000 children aged 14 and under received gifts, up 30% from 2009.